Ankle stability footwear

ABSTRACT

Ankle stability footwear includes an outrigger on the lateral (outer) side of a shoe substantially adjacent to the sole of a shoe, positioned against or just above a surface on which the sole rests and extending front substantially the toe to the heel of the shoe. The outrigger reduces undesired foot roll and consequent ankle injuries by providing additional lateral mechanical support that does not compromise the mobility and performance of the user.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/082,926, entitled DEVICE FOR RETARDING ANKLE INVERSION filed on Nov. 21, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference it its entirety.

FIELD

This application relates generally to orthotic devices footwear. More specifically, this application is directed to footwear for limiting movement of the ankle to limit injuries.

BACKGROUND

Ankle sprains are exceptionally common among those participating in many different sports. Often, such injuries cause significant pain, and can result in permanent damage. An ankle sprain refers to tearing of the ligaments of the ankle. The most common ankle sprain occurs on the lateral or outside part of the ankle. The most common form of ankle sprain is an inversion injury, which means the foot rolls to the anterior of and underneath the ankle or leg, resulting in twisting of the ankle. Inversion injuries can occur in a variety of conditions causing unsure footing, but most commonly occur during sports activities, such as basketball and jumping sports, in which an athlete can come down on and turn the ankle or step on an opponent's foot causing the foot to turn such that the weight of the person does not rest on the sole of the foot.

In those who have had a severe sprain in the past, it is easier to turn the ankle and cause a new sprain because the ligaments supporting the ankle are commonly stretched or torn from the previous sprain. A previously sprained ankle is also more prone to instability. Those who have weak muscles in the ankle are may be more predisposed repeated ankle sprains.

A common solution has been ankle sleeves or braces to try to support the ankle from further injuries. However, such devices limit the natural range of motion and can limit athletic performance. Such devices can also be uncomfortable and cause undesired shoe wear and fit.

As such, there is a need for a device that can be worn that will reduce ankle injuries without limiting the wearer in comfort or freedom of movement.

SUMMARY

Ankle stability footwear that limits ankle injuries may include an outrigger affixed to or formed on a lateral (outer) posterior (outside) side of a shoe substantially adjacent to the sole of a shoe, positioned against or just above a surface on which the sole of the shoe may rest. The device may extend from substantially the toe of a shoe to the rear of the shoe.

Such exemplary footwear may function to limit ankle injuries with the outrigger contacting the ground as an inversion of the ankle begins, the inner side of the sole lifting from the ground, and the outrigger contacting the ground and mechanically limiting foot rotation, and subsequent damage to the ankle. Movement of the ankle may be thereby sufficiently limited so as to prevent an ankle sprain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description can be better understood in light of Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary athletic shoe having an outrigger.

FIG. 2 illustrates an elevation of the athletic shoe having an outrigger of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 Illustrates an exemplary pair of athletic shoes, each having an outrigger.

FIG. 4 Illustrates a bottom view of an exemplary athletic shoe having an outrigger.

FIG. 5 Illustrates a bottom view of an exemplary athletic shoe having an outrigger.

Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of ankle stability footwear and methods for making and using such. In the Figures, the thickness and configuration of components may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different Figures represent the same component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description supplies specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan would understand that the apparatus and associated methods of using the apparatus can be implemented and used without employing these specific details. Indeed, the apparatus and associated methods can be placed into practice by modifying the illustrated apparatus and associated methods and can be used in conjunction with any other apparatus and techniques conventionally used in the industry. For example, while the exemplary embodiments described and illustrated herein are of an athletic shoe with an outrigger, the design elements to reduce ankle injuries may be incorporated in other types of footwear.

Exemplary ankle stability footwear may utilize an optimized and unique design to effectively reduce ankle injuries from rolled ankles. As shown in FIG. 1, ankle stability footwear 1 may include a base shoe 2 and an outrigger 4 extending from an outside edge and generally extending a sufficient amount between the toe and heel to provide additional stability to reduce ankle injuries. The footwear in the illustrated embodiments is depicted as an athletic shoe, but may be almost any type of shoe, sandal, boot, or other footwear.

As best shown in FIG. 2, outrigger 4 may be attached to the lateral side of shoe 2. Outrigger 4 may extend almost to the extreme front toe 6 of shoe 2 to substantially the rear heal 8 of shoe 2. Shoe 2 may be made such that sole 12 of shoe 2 generally contacts against surface 10 upon which the shoe rests in a flat or co-planar relationship. As also shown in FIG. 5, outrigger 4 may be positioned on shoe 2 slightly above surface 10. In this position, most or all of outrigger 4 may not contact surface 10 when shoe 2 is sitting flat.

In normal movement of the foot during activities, such as athletic activities, the outrigger ay periodically contact the floor, ground, or other surface that sole 12 of the shoe contacts during use, but would not interfere with the user's activities. A portion of the bottom of outrigger 4 may contact the surface on which the sole rests when the shoe is being worn with the force of the weight and stance of the user determining the distribution of weight and accompanying distortion on shoe 2.

As shown in the Figures, outrigger 4 is may extend along the outer edge of the outside of each shoe 2 for substantially the entire length of shoe 2 from toe 6 to heel 8. However, in order to not restrict natural movement, outrigger 4 generally would not extend in front of toe 6 of shoe 2. In contrast, outrigger 4 may extend some amount past heel 8 of shoe 2 to provide additional stability. As users rarely want to be balanced on the backs of their heels. By extending along substantially the entire length of shoe 2, outrigger 4 can be formed along to the shoe providing additional functional width to shoe 2, thereby spreading the force on the outrigger when it is moved to engage surface 10 through the beginning of a foot roll, to provide the user increased stability.

In some embodiments, outrigger 4 may be formed integrally with the sole or a component of the sole of shoe 2, providing durability of outrigger 4. In some embodiments, an external or lower portion of outrigger 4 may be formed of the same material as the sole of shoe 2 with an additional core or filler for outrigger 4 having different elastomeric properties than the sole material. In such embodiments, the amount of lateral stiffness and comfort may be adjusted as desired. In other embodiments, outrigger may be formed integrally with another portion of the shoe above the sole, for example, in a cushion layer common to athletic shoes to which the sole material is adhered. The outrigger may molded from materials used as soles in shoes, such as plastic, rubber, rubber compounds, Vibram® or elastomer material. The outrigger may be formed entirely as a unitary member with the shoe sole, or formed as a member that is attached to the vamp or to the outer sole of the shoe. The vamp may also be formed to provide or support a portion of the outrigger.

The outrigger may extend laterally from the sole of the shoe, and is preferred to extend from the outer sole, and laterally to the side of the sole of the shoe. In some embodiments, the outrigger may not extend materially above a line defined by where the vamp meets the sole of the athletic shoe, it being recognized that athletic shoes generally have thicker soles than “street” shoes or dress shoes. In one embodiment, the outrigger may maintain a low profile, rising below the the vamp of the shoe as the position of the talus within the shoe.

In some embodiments, outrigger 4 may be mounted along a lesser length of the shoe, such as from the ball, or widest part of the shoe to a point before middle of the heel. Such shorter outrigger designs may provide some roll protection while allowing for greater latitude in shoe design and style. However, the reduced length of the device may in some applications provide less roll protection than the longer lengths extending substantially the entire length of the shoe.

In one exemplary embodiment, outrigger 4 may extend from the lateral side of the sole of the shoe from between about 1 to 2 cm from a normal width extent of a comparably sized conventional shoe. Outrigger 4 may be formed such that it extends from the most outwardly extending side of the shoe, whether the most outwardly extending portion is the vamp or the quarter of the shoe. Similarly, the outrigger may have different widths or provide variable width enhancements over a traditional width in varying amounts extending along the length of the shoe. This dimension, or additional width, may be provided sufficient to prevent inversion of the ankle of the user as the foot begins to roll under the user. Additional width beyond about 2 cm may interfere with activities of the user or with those in close contact with the user, but may be appropriate depending on the activity and the level of stability desired.

In other embodiments, such as is shown in FIG. 4, the outrigger may be a separate piece extending into and affixed to the sole of the shoe. Platform 14 may extend from within a portion of the sole and beyond the sole to the lateral side of the shoe, with additional outrigger material being mounted on and over the platform to provide stiffness and roll protection. The outrigger may be formed by a tube that is wrapped about its circumference in the material that is attached to the sole. In such an embodiment, the bottom surface of the outrigger may extend from the lateral side of the sole at an angle of 15° to 30°.

In another embodiment, the outrigger may have an arcuate bottom surface that curves out and away from the sole of the shoe, contacting the surface near the sole but arcing upwardly and above the surface as the bottom of the outrigger extends away from the sole. In another embodiment, the entire bottom surface of the outrigger may contact the surface.

The front of the outrigger may be formed in an arcuate shape as shown in FIG. 1, blending into the curve of the shoe. The arcuate shape is of such embodiments may generally be an extension of the arcuate front part of the outsole of most shoes, following the form of the shoe for an aesthetically pleasing look, while also reducing interference with normal use and activity while wearing the shoe.

Turning now to FIG. 5, another embodiment is illustrated where outrigger 4 may extend outwardly from the sole, and well beyond the vamp/quarter of shoe 2. Outrigger 4 may be formed to contact the surface when the sole is flat against the surface to a point that is beyond the normal extension of a conventional sole, for example by about 1 cm. beyond the vamp/quarter that is directly above the outrigger. The bottom of outrigger 4 may have an arcuate surface that curves upwardly as it extends away from the shoe. However, as the shoe rolls toward the outer side of the shoe during an ankle inversion, an increased surface area of outrigger 4 contacts the surface.

In addition to any previously indicated modification, numerous other variations and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this description, and appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the information has been described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred aspects, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, form, function, manner of operation and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. Also, as used herein, examples are meant to be illustrative only and should not be construed to be limiting in any manner. 

1. A shoe comprising: a shoe body; a sole attached to the shoe body; and an outrigger extending laterally from one of the sole and the shoe body and adjacent to an outer lateral side of the shoe, wherein the outrigger provides support to resist foot roll of a user.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein a portion of bottom of the outrigger contacts a surface upon which the sole of the shoe rests when the shoe is placed on the surface.
 3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the outrigger is integrally formed with the sole.
 4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the outrigger includes, an outer wear portion, and a resilient inner portion.
 5. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the outer wear portion is formed of a shoe sole material.
 6. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the inner portion is selected based on rigidity sufficient to resist foot roll.
 7. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the outermost portion of the outrigger extends at least one cm laterally from the outermost portion of the vamp.
 8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the outermost portion of the outrigger extends at least 1.5 cm laterally from the outermost portion of the vamp.
 9. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the outermost portion of the outrigger extends at least one cm laterally from the outermost portion of the quarter.
 10. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the outermost portion of the outrigger extends at least 1.5 cm laterally from the outermost portion of the quarter.
 11. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the outrigger is affixed to at least a portion of the sole of the shoe.
 12. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the outrigger maintains a profile below the height of the bottom of the vamp.
 13. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe is a basketball shoe.
 14. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe is a hiking shoe. 